M.B. HENRY 
Historical Thrill Seeking: A B-17 And The Kindness of Strangers
Once upon a time, eight or nine years ago, a young woman with a flair for history left her cramped, leaky studio apartment and drove to the Burbank/Bob Hope airport. She had fallen on some incredibly rough times. Only a quarter tank of gas powered her car, and she didn’t have money to fill it. Just a few cans of soup and vegetables sat in her cupboard. She worked in movies as an assistant, but most months she barely made rent. The only real outings she could afford were trips to the library or the hiking trails.
But when the Collings Foundation, a touring historical group, announced that their B-17, B-25, and P-51 planes from World War II would swing by Burbank airport, the young woman had to see them. World War II had been a lifelong passion, especially the aviation angle. Her father took her to EAA Airventure in Oshkosh every single year as a child. She loved it when those big planes rumbled down the runway and put on the most thrilling airshows a history enthusiast could ever imagine.
She had a lifelong dream to ride in one of those planes, but being so down on her financial luck, that wouldn’t be an option today. Those rides were expensive, more money than she even had to her name. But she could go see the planes, and maybe they would let her take some pictures at least. So, the girl collected her camera and drove to the airport.
The planes were magnificent, just as she knew they would be. She marveled at how they towered above her and threw long shadows across the sunny parking lot. She grinned when the big B-17 revved up its four engines and took off with a handful of lucky passengers. The thrill of that plane rumble vibrated to her fingertips. Click click click went her camera as she reveled in the thrill of being so close to something from her favorite historical era.
As the young woman lost herself in the history and the shutter of her camera, a group of middle-aged men and a lady stood nearby. The young woman noticed they had been watching her and whispering, but she didn’t much care. Frankly, she was used to being the “baby” of the room when it came to World War II history, and being one of few women around wasn’t new either. Besides, the planes and pictures, her one ray of happiness she’d had in some time, consumed her. So she barely noticed when the group approached her.
“You’re a bit young for this kind of scene, aren’t you?”
The young woman turned and saw the entire group of people had come up behind her. “Nah. I’m just enjoying the planes. And I’ve been a big World War II enthusiast all my life.” She wanted to drop it at that, but her answer must have interested them.
“Oh? Your whole life you say?”
The young woman finally put her camera down and embraced her human company. She told them all about her passion for history. All the books she’d read, the museums she had seen, the EAA airshow, and the books she poured through in preparation to write a novel someday. “I want to be an author,” she admitted with a nervous shuffle of her feet. “I want to tell those stories and make sure they aren’t forgotten. It’s important.”
Her answers seemed to charm her hosts. The lady in particular looked very moved. She beckoned to the B-17, which now returned from its loop around the Los Angeles airspace with passengers in tow. “Well, you should take a ride. We did earlier and it’s amazing.”
The young woman’s insides slumped. Oh, if this lady only knew how badly she wanted to take a ride. How she’d dreamt of it ever since she saw pilots giving rides at that airshow as a girl. She forced a smile. “Well, I’d love to. Someday I will. But I’m afraid it can’t be today.”
“Why not?”
“Well, I’m….” The young woman sighed, and she forced herself to admit the one thing nobody ever wants to. “I don’t have much money. I’m just an assistant, I can’t afford things like that.” The young woman turned back to her camera, so ashamed her face turned red.
But the lady took her by the shoulders. With a wink and a smile, she said…. “Well, I’m an executive at Disney. And today, you are going for a ride.”
In case you haven’t figured it out, the young woman in this story is ME. And every bit of this charming fairy tale about the kindness of strangers is true. I just never thought something like it would ever happen to me, and honestly, sometimes it’s still hard to believe it did.
It was certainly hard to believe in that moment. The woman’s offer shocked me practically off my feet. I couldn’t believe she would volunteer that kind of money for a young upstart who wanted to write about World War II. Before I could tell her there were better uses for that kind of money, or even utter an appropriate thank you, she had shuttled me to the passenger line, handed over her credit card, and slapped a ride bracelet on my wrist. Just like that, a lifelong dream was about to come true.
She eventually got lots of thank-yous from me. A few tears and a hug too. That was all I had time for before the flight crew hustled me over to the waiting bomber. I climbed up a narrow, metal ladder and into the hull of the plane. There were only three or four other passengers, all males, and all pretty intrigued to see a little damsel in a blue dress on board. When they learned I was a first timer, they plopped me into the navigator’s chair by the window, one of the best seats in the house. I looked out through the warm glass and into the parking lot. That lady stood there looking up at me, with a very warm smile on her face. I gave her a wave, and she waved back.
The plane engines thundered to life, and the B-17 Flying Fortress lumbered out of its parking place and towards the waiting take-off strip.
If you’ve never flown in a really old plane, there’s something pretty magical about it. The way the entire thing tremors underneath you. The charming squeaks and groans, the rattle of the windows, and the musty, antiquey smell of all the history crammed in that fuselage. It can really pump your adrenaline, along with the epic stomach jolt when the big plane wheels divorce the ground. It might be a bit jarring or terrifying to some. However, I grew up around old planes. My dad flew us around in an old Bellanca when I was a kid. This ride put me in mind of that old Bellanca Belle (as we called her), but the power in those B-17 quad engines sure gave Bellanca a run for her money. I can honestly say I never felt anything quite like it.
Unlike me, my fellow passengers all seemed pretty practiced with World War II plane rides. As soon as we reached cruising altitude, they unclicked their seatbelts and began crawling around the bomber. They poked into the turret stations, they burrowed into the space beneath the cockpit, and they even popped their heads out of the open turret in the plane’s roof. Since I’ve never been one to sit on the sidelines, I followed their example.
They enjoyed showing a first timer the ropes.
“You have to check out this view out the side turret, and try out the model gun too.”
“Crawl under the cockpit! You can see everything from there!”
“No! No! The best place is at the tail gun.”
“Hey, don’t be afraid, stick your head out the top and feel the wind in your hair. Atta girl.”
All of us acted like little kids in our own World War II fort. We crawled into the tight spaces. We pretended to take on fighter planes with the model gun (not loaded!) at the side turret. We took the perilous walk across the beam over the bomb bay doors (which were safely closed mind you, but still). Our voices grew hoarse from shouting at each other over the noise of those wonderful engines. My camera got passed from person to person, each wanting a turn taking pictures out the top turret. The laughter, the shrieks of excitement, and the encouragement from the pilots… my dream ride in a World War II bomber was better than I ever imagined.
My only complaint was that it ended too quickly. Our half hour ride elapsed in the blink of an eye, and before I knew it, we circled back over Bob Hope Airport. The boys and I all returned to our seats and buckled up. We braced ourselves as the big wheels thumped back onto the runway, and the plane roared back into the open lot we started in.
As we pulled into the lot where the other planes were parked, and where more people awaited their ride in the historic bomber, I peered out the window for another glimpse of my angel do-gooder. That lady who, with no hesitations whatsoever, whipped out her credit card to make a twenty-something’s dreams come true. However, she was nowhere to be seen. None of them were. They had all vanished, probably gone back to the office, or off to lunch, or whatever angels do after they’ve put a forever smile into someone’s heart.
I never saw the woman again. I don’t even really remember her name, because everything happened so incredibly fast on that sunny afternoon. After the ride ended, I kept my ride bracelet on as long as possible to savor the flavor. I also wondered around the little gift stand the Collings Foundation had set up. I only had a few dollars in my wallet, but I dropped some into the donation bucket – a pittance compared to what that woman had done for me, but all I could afford to give. The rest I used to purchase a souvenir bullet from the plane’s big side guns. I traded an evening meal for that bullet, but I somehow knew I wouldn’t regret that. To this day, I never have. I needed a keepsake. Not just to mark the occasion of my first ride in World War II plane (first of a few, as it would turn out…), but also as an important reminder.
In this world today, with so much division, fear, and bitterness, it’s so easy to forget about the kindness of strangers. How giving, generous, and loving people can be if they are only given the chance. That woman’s gesture lodged itself forever inside me, and I’ve been trying to pay it forward ever since. I remember her every time I look at that bullet, nestled safely in my history cupboard. I think of her when I see people supporting others just because, or when I see friends passing on resumes to help someone find a job, or people giving encouragement to a crying stranger.
I also remember her when I look at the news these days. There’s plenty of fear going around, but there’s been countless acts of kindness too. People have opened their hearts and wallets in a way I haven’t seen since 9/11. Teenagers are creating food drives to get supplies to the elderly, neighbors leave fresh flowers on doorsteps, musicians play and sing on their balconies to comfort their neighborhoods, people nationwide are busting out their sewing skills to make masks, and corporations have bucked profit and turned their machines to medical equipment for overwhelmed doctors and nurses. Then there are the brave grocers working every day to keep their cities fed, the delivery people driving triple shifts to keep the country moving. It’s a true mark of the human spirit, and a reminder of how the American People can really put their swords away and their (gloved) hands out in a crisis.
Miracles are real, and during the pandemic in all its horrors, I’m seeing them all the time. I’ve always believed that people are inherently good, and times like these are the proof. If you have trouble believing, just get in your car and drive to the airport (once quarantine is lifted, of course). You never know what might happen!
SOURCES
My Adrenaline Addiction
My Historical Addiction
…And the Unwavering Belief in Miracles
For Proof of Miracles – please visit Good News Network
Most photos by M.B. Henry – although my new B-17 friends were nice enough to snap some of me! 🙂 For more warbird photos, click here
Wonderful story. I like WWII also and am pleased that you were able to enjoy that ride.
It was pretty incredible!! 🙂
How cool would it be if that Disney executive just happened to see this post? Or someone else who was there or who she told her version of this story to?! This brought tears to my eyes. Such an exhilarating story that was your special adventure!💗✈️
<3 I really, REALLY wish I could remember her name. The whole thing just happened so fast! It was an exhilarating day - both the plane ride and the incredibly kind gesture.
Just wow! I’ve just started a blog piece about my dad (whom I knew merely as a farmer) who flew B-17s until there were enough B-29s available. At the end of the war, he was the commander of a B-29 with a date set to leave for Saipan. I’ve crawled in Fifi and sat in the commander’s seat (Mom also did!), I’ve been through a B-17 on the ground at Des Moines (also sat in the pilot’s seat and exited the way they did–dropping through a little door below the cockpit) and watched it take off. One of Mom’s brothers was lost in a B-25, and my husband treated me to a ride in one a few years ago. https://joynealkidney.com/2017/03/14/reconciling-dad/
Hey! I know Fifi! 🙂 I saw her at the EAA airshow a few years ago, they had both of the last two flying B-29s in the world. If you check my warbird photo album (https://mb-henry.com/photography/warbirds/) you can see some of the shots I got of her. The B-25 is also an amazing plane, I’d love to ride in one of those someday.
Beautiful post! I love that people can be so good to strangers, and that people can have so much gratitude when it happens.
Kindness is a powerful thing! 🙂
What an amazing story! We hear too much about the bad ones, but there are some really amazing people out there.
There really are 🙂 <3
Wow, what a great post!! One of the best I have ever read. I’m serious!
🙂 🙂 I thought it would be a good one to share for some positive energy! I’m so very glad it had its intended effect.
Yep, for sure! Blessings! 🙂
brought tears to my eyes … there is innate kindness in all our hearts, just some have to dig a bit deeper!
Love the story of your flight some stranger offered without batting an eyelid. Is that a pregnant you?
Nah -no pregnancy for me 🙂 Think it’s just the way the dress is blowing in the wind haha. I of course would have worn pants had I realized I would be flying that day!
ah, had to ask, sorry … trousers are far more practical especially as you were crawling about 😉
Haha no worries. It really does look like it in that picture! 🙂 And yes I did have to keep an eye on that dress to avoid any Marilyn Monroe mishaps hahaha. Needless to say that in my future WWII plane rides (which I will write about at future dates) I sported some nice blue jeans 🙂
maybe a little less entertaining for your fellow buffs but far more practical!
WOW. What a lovely story. Don’t mind me over here ugly crying. 💕
Oh I ugly cried when it happened and while I wrote about it! 🙂 All the ugly crying. It’s welcome here 🙂
😊
M.B., this is such a fantastic story! You reminded me of a kindness done for me when I was a poor young thing in a pinch. The closest I’ve been to flying in an old military plane is the C-130 we flew in from Guatemala to Panama in the 1970s. No seats, just cargo mesh in the general shape of a bench.
Sounds like a really cool flight 🙂 It’s amazing how many angels are out there to help us when we really need it! <3
What a day! Moments frozen in your memory and I can see why – wow – the kindness of a complete stranger made such a difference in your life. It does renew faith in humankind. You wove the details in to the story so well 🙂
Thanks much – I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It was nice to write about this and relive it, especially during these rough times 🙂
Absolutely! 🙂
Wow! I remember you telling me the story shortly after it occurred! I was awed then and I’m awed again now – both by the lady’s kindness and by the way you tell the story!
🙂 It was a good day for sure! It’s still hard to believe something like that happened to me.
MB, what a spectacular, upbeat, moving piece — and so well told! I’m sure you made many a reader’s day with it, as your day was made by the kindness of a stranger eight or nine years ago.
Hard to believe it’s been that long! 🙂 Time flies, I guess. Glad you liked it! 🙂
Did you mean for my eyes to water and tears run down my cheeks? You have a great aptitude for evoking emotion in your writing. Thank you for sharing such a sweet story and recognizing the good in people.
🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed it, I know sometimes it’s hard to focus on the good, especially with everything going on these days, but it’s always there and it’s always shining! Thanks for the read and your kind words.
Ah …the kindness of strangers. My life has been buoyed along so many times by exactly that.
So: Warbirds, riding in old planes (for me it was a DC3, when I was about 4), and that factor of *kindness*.
And something got triggered in me. My memories of old planes. My father’s WW2 story. Symbolism … and an extraordinary act of kindness.
May I have a guest-spot to write it all up, please? And post it here?
(Don’t panic, I am a professional writer. I’m trained for this!)
cheers, – G.M
Hey there! A DC3 how cool – I’ve toured the inside of one but never taken a ride on one, or jumped out of one 🙂 Sounds like quite the story you’ve got cooking – at this time I’m not doing separate guest spot posts, but I do invite you to post the link here when you are finished!
I love this story. I’ve always wanted to go up in one of these planes. One day!
I highly recommend it! 🙂 It’s a lot of fun, both this ride and the others I’ve taken since, which I will write about somewhere down the line 🙂
Aw, tears from me too, how bliddy wonderful was that! And look at your beaming face! That lady really was an angel. Living on an RAF camp when I was a kid I got to climb all over the insides of The City of Lincoln Lancaster bomber, but no rides sadly. Loved this post M.B.
Ooooh the Lancaster! I’d love to climb around in one of those I bet that was very cool! 🙂 So very glad you enjoyed the post, she truly was an angel!
What a tremendous story! I hope your executive benefactor has some inkling of what good she did in your life.
Me too!! <3
Thank you for this incredible story! Yes, there are angels out there doing kind things everyday. My father was a B24 pilot in WWII and flew 50 missions from a base in Italy. I took him to see one of the last B24s when he was in his 80’s. We didn’t go for a ride but it was a wonderful day.
My grandfather and his identical twin were B-24 men! 🙂 <3 I'm happy to say I have done a ride in an old Liberator in their honor, stay tuned for a future post about it! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the post, cheers to your dad! <3
A marvelous story – and marvelously told. What a fantastic ride!
My dad was a navigator during WWII on the bombers – 32 missions over Germany.
The kindness of strangers always moves me.
Stay safe and sane.
Wow that’s amazing about your dad! We are doing well on the safe part and really trying on the sane part 🙂 Hope you are well too!
Okay, M.B. This IS my favorite post. I loved learning more about you and your life, and I love how you tied it in to all of the good things happening in the world right now. I see them, too, and am so grateful.
Yes -above all we must keep believing in kindness and miracles – and a lot of that kindness I see in your posts! So glad you enjoyed it and always glad to hear from you! <3
Oh My Goodness! What a fabulous experience! What a fabulous story! What a wonderful act of generosity!
🙂 <3 One of those acts that gives off a permanent glow! It sure has for me 🙂
Oh what a fabulous story! Bravo for your heartfelt words! Bravo for the woman who was kind! Bravo for your pilot! Bravo for YOU!
I got to tour a B17 and loved it. There’s a lot of history with those gorgeous flyers! Love them and loved your story! Keep on bringing them!
Awesome you toured one! You’re right, so much history inside those old birds 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the post, and I sure will bring you lots more!
😊
A great story well told.
Thank you!
Absolutely wonderful. It would be lovely to think that that woman would read this
I know right? How cool would that be? Hope you are doing well!
Oh my! What a dream come true! Good things come to those who deserve it, and with gratitude like that… you obviously deserved it. Wonderfully told, too.
Thank you so much <3 It's sure something I've held onto hard in the troubling times!
Excellent post!
thank you!
That is an excellent post MB – and my goodness how lucky were you?!! It just goes to show that there are good people out there!
Flying in a B-17 would be awesome! The best I’ve yet managed was a 40’s vintage Tigermoth trainer.
Nice! I bet that was a pretty fun ride! It’s been really fun to see what kind of old plane rides people have taken in the comments! 🙂
It was pretty awesome – at Twilight on a frosty evening. I’d been helping a local pilot take people on pleasure flights (I think it was a corporate thing) and after the last was unloaded he told me to jump in – great fun!
Oh my!!! Sounds amazing 🙂 🙂
But not as amazing as a B-17! Have you flown in any other warbirds? Your avatar looks like you’re sat in a P-51?
Oh yes – that is a P-51, good eye! 🙂 And you’ll hear all about that ride in a future post. I’ve also ridden in a B-24, which I will also detail in a future post at some point
Ah I know my warbirds (it helps it you’re life long aviation nut and former aircraft engineer!), in fact I have a P-51B model kit on my desk that’s going to built as ‘Ding Hao!’ – Col. James H. Howard’s mount in the ETO. I do hope you know his story.
The Libby is also very very cool – there can’t be many of those still in the air.
Flying Tigers, right? Sometimes I do get my names crossed! 🙂
Flying Tigers yes, but also served in Europe. He won a CMOH after he single handedly defended a flight of B-17’s from a large group of German fighters, with three jammed guns and the fourth out of ammunition.
Dang…. sometimes I don’t know where people get all their courage from!
I know what you mean – Heroes one and all!
Thanks for sharing the amazing experience, story and encouraging words about the kindness of strangers!🙂
I’m very glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Okay. Thanks. (I guess I *do* have my own blog, eh?!)
Good for you, M.B. What a wonderful experience and gift. Keep making your dream a reality! 🙂
I’m working hard on it! 🙂
I’m glad for you!
What an absolutely wonderful story, MB. Thank you, ever so much. –Curt
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I couldn’t resist one more note, MB. Peggy’s dad, John Dallen, flew the Hump in World War II. Here is a series of posts I did on his experience based on his letters and talks with him: http://wandering-through-time-and-place.com/2017/03/18/john-dallen-miss…ld-war-ii-part-i/
I tried to click on the link and it said page not found?? It sounds right up my alley so I’d love to read it!
Splendid!
Many thanks! 🙂
This is a beautiful, heart warming story. I remember the day this talented and beautiful young woman called her mother to tell her about this adventure! Thank you for sharing this and reminding us of who we are as Americans…strong, courageous, and filled with compassion during these times.
It’s important to remember the good 🙂
Very cool story. I’ve seen the Collins Foundation planes a few times in Concord, CA. Since my dad was a gunner on the B-24 I thought it appropriate to get my son a ride on the Collins B-24 (nicknamed Witchcraft) for his 21st birthday. I remember when the plane taxied on the tarmac just before taking on my son’s group the brakes squealed with a grating metallic sound and his fiance looked at me and asked some assurance if it was safe.
Oooooh yes I know the Witchcraft. Very, very well. Stay tuned for a future post 🙂 My grandpa and his identical twin were crew chief mechanics on the B-24s, so that was a special ride for sure 🙂
How totally up your dream alley, M.B.!
Definitely! 🙂
Great post and wonderful pictures of you! My dad (a Vietnam vet) took a flight on the Aluminum Overcast last September when it came to Rutland, Vermont. He was thrilled. Less than two weeks later, the Nine-O-Nine crashed. Such a tragedy.
Oomf. I read about that crash in the news when it happened and it turned my stomach. It was indeed a terrible tragedy 🙁 Hats off to your dad, glad he got to enjoy the Aluminum Overcast
This is one of the most touching things i’ve read in a long time. What a lovely story.
I have never been on one of these big bombers but have occasionally stood on the ground as one lumbers through the sky far over my head. I can’t get enough of the music of those old piston engines.
You may already know that the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend,
Indiana built many of the Wright Cyclone engines used in the B-17. They put out quite a few magazine ads during the war that featured the plane (and that would look great in a frame).
I bet that would look pretty cool in a frame 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, I had a great time remembering that day and writing it down to share it!
What a remarkable story M.B. that would have to be one hell of an adventure ,even if it was only 30 minutes, and what an decent woman! I have to admit I did get something in my reading about her thoughtful generosity, thanks for sharing it. Oh, the only old aeroplane I have been in was Short Sunderland long ago and that certainly was an experience for a young farm boy that lived far from the sea.
Oh I bet that was an adventure! I haven’t ridden in any of those planes before, I don’t know if I would do well in them since I don’t have the strongest sea legs 🙂
I don’t know much about WWII planes but your story was very inspirational. A great post. I hope one day, your paths will cross again.
🙂 The kindness of strangers is a beautiful thing! It would be neat to see her again someday
Beautiful story! What a dream come true for a young person who thought she was just there to watch! You remind me of the thrill of my ride in a 1930 New Standard biplane last year and that I was hoping to do a B 17 ride this summer. That event is likely cancelled but, for a few moments, I lived vicariously through you!!
Thanks for sharing and for the reminder there are good people in this world. I’m guessing it was as much a blessing to your angel to help you as it was for you to take that ride. ❤️
Oh I do hope you get to take your B-17 ride soon, because you will LOVE it. And a biplane how cool! That’s on my list for sure, I’ve often seen one flying around where I live and I always think how fun it would be to ride in one. Hope you are holding up well with everything going on, glad you enjoyed the post!
Loved the post and it gave me hope that something good is just about to happen! I will eventually take that ride. If not this summer, another time. And I’m dying to head out on a fabulous trip but am making do with adventures in my community and fun things around home. How are you holding up?
The same 🙂 We live in LA so we don’t go out much at all, just little walks around quiet neighborhoods where we won’t run into people. We also are planning some very fun trips for when we can travel again 🙂
Oh, wow. City life would be hard right now! I live in rural southern Ohio with access to state parks that are used but not busy (at least not early in the day). I’ve been taking my camera for a drive along back roads, just for something to do and it gives me an opportunity to create something. And there’s always my porch but that’s not too exciting! Lol
Yeah, it’s not always easy, but we at least have the gorgeous sunny weather!
This is true!
This is such a great story of the human spirit and kindness. Although I’ve only seen these famous planes in museums, they are an incredible sight! I am sure you’ll never forget this experience or the kindness of that woman. I think you are correct, there are many examples of people showing kindness to others right now. If we all have an experience such as yours and then pay it forward, it would definitely make the world a much better place. We can all hope for that. Thank you for sharing your story!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Acts of kindness, whether large or small, can always make a big difference. I agree the world would be a better place if we all kept that in mind!
You inspired me to write about one that I experienced a few years ago! Thank you!
🙂 🙂 Yaaaaay!! Happy writing!
Wow! Such an amazing story and what a fantastic adventure you’ve been on. An unforgettably exciting experience! Thank you for sharing!
🙂 So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reading!
Oh you are so beautiful! A lovely story!!
🙂 🙂 Thanks much!
❤️❤️❤️
I hope you’re writing that book – after reading this, I’d like to read it.
<3 Many thanks. I am writing the book -a couple, actually. I'm trying to find a literary agent which is a process, but hoping to get one soon and find a publisher one day! :)
What an incredible story! I too believe in the kindness of others and what this woman did for you, well, I think that is about the kindest act I’ve ever heard about. To live a dream when here you thought it to be impossible, proves that the impossible can come true. I so enjoyed your story. Thank you so much for not only sharing it, but to bring to light, that there is a basic goodness in people.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and that it moved you! 🙂 I figured it would be a perfect uplifting story to share for these crazy times.
YAY! another post! will catch up on this over the weekend! Hope you are well!!
Hope you like it! 🙂 We’re both healthy and staying indoors 🙂 Hope you and yours are well too!
This made me cry. My father was a WWII vet — USAFFE. He loved to tell stories about the war. Unfortunately for him, only I listened. And I was too young to understand everything. I wish I could have recorded his stories.
That’s amazing about your father – and how wonderful that you did listen. Even though you were young, I’m sure he appreciated your interest and listening ear. I’m so glad you enjoyed the blog post.
Fabulous story! I loved it.
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it
MB – this made me cry soooo hard! I think Sean thinks I’m a lunatic right now. LOL. The kindness of strangers definitely helps make the world go round. She knew it would be a magical day for you. Glad you were able to experience your dream!!!
🙂 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it! (sorry for the tears though haha). It was truly a magical day, I’m glad to remember it in times like these
💕💕💕💕
Incredible!! 😀
Lovely, it’s easy to forget the kindness of strangers during tough times but we’ve all experienced it. Always good practice to try and pay it forward, also.
🙂 Absolutely! Hope you are staying well in these crazy times.
Trying! Hope you are too!
What a very wonderful story! This is very special with a magical emotional twist! I am so glad you got to experience your dream! What a special person the lady was who paid for your ride! Turns one into a forever generous person!
<3 <3 I will never stop trying to pay that forward, that's for sure! So glad you enjoyed the post
This almost had me in tears. To think a stranger would give you such a wonderful gift is such an incredible thing to do.
Your descriptions also had me enthralled. It must have been SO exciting to be in that plane and to experience what it would have felt like to all those WWII aviators. Thank you for sharing this amazing experience with us.
Honestly, it’s a lot due to her that I never give up on the good in humans, even when it’s realllllly hard to see sometimes! It was a very exciting ride for sure, someday in the future I will write up my other two rides that I took later on in life – one of which ended with an engagement ring! 🙂
Ooh – an engagement ring! I can’t wait to read about that one!
Yeah, it was a pretty good day 🙂 My avatar photo was actually taken that day 🙂
Thanks for this story of the kindness of strangers. We need more of those right now.
So glad you liked it – and yes, we certainly do!
That’s very lovely 💕 and those photos are amazing too! 🌺
Glad you like them! 🙂
As my son says at times, “WOW! Amazing”
Ha! 🙂 🙂 Thanks very much!
Wow!!!
Right?! 🙂
I have just read your heartwarming story about your trip in a B 17. I come from Huddersfield in Northern England and very coincidentally have been looking out on my nearby moorland for the wreckage of a Flying Fortress B 17 bomber which crashed there in 1945, injuring but not killing its crew. The wreck is difficult to locate but we found it. Weird how things unexpectedly happen when you want something bad enough.
How cool to have found something like that! What a neat story, thanks for sharing it here. And yes, it is amazing how dreams can come true when you least expect sometimes 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by
What a great story. The Collings foundation came to our local airport last September. I went to take pictures of landings from the end of the runway a few times but never went up myself.
They do make the rounds at a lot of airports, it’s always fun to go check it out! Hope you got some lovely pictures 🙂
Yes, I got some great photos. They were supposed to be here again this weekend but with COVID-19 are taking a break this year.
I had actually wondered about that. Hope they are able to resume next year
What a wonderful gesture and incredible experience to have. There certainly are some wonderful people in the world . I’m glad you had your dream come true.
Yes there are – I find comfort in remembering that during these very tough times. Thanks so much for reading!
Wonderful + Informative + Creative this my rating to your blog and added your blog in my favorite list [ blog]. Now i’m following your blog.
And.Thank you ,i’m glad you like my post.
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Sounds like a cool experience! The oldest planes that I have had rides on are a DC-3 and a few times on an AN-2.
Cool! I’ve always wanted to ride a DC-3. And that AN-2 looks like a doozy as well! 🙂
The DC-3 and the AN-2 have similar control panels as they are originally from similar time periods.
I would not mind taking a ride in a historic War Plane like the B-17. A few weeks ago the Reading Airport had it’s yearly Air Show and in it was one of those B-17’s. You could take a 30 minute ride on it, but at a cost of $800.00! I thought it would be a truly great thing to do and have a lifetime memory, but just could not afford that. Also, during WWII my Mother was stationed in London at the Allied HQ in 1944. She told me that she saw hundreds of B-17’s flying over London on their way to Air Bases around Europe.
It is indeed an amazing experience riding in those old planes. My rides, both this one and another one I took, did not cost anywhere near $800! That is very pricey for sure. As for my P-51 ride, which I will write up at some point, I have no idea how much that cost as it was part of my husband’s very special proposal back when we got engaged, and he has still refused to tell me the price tag on that haha.
What a cool and touching story. That is so great that someone cared enough to make your dream come true. And a Disney exec at that. The B-17 has been in Albuquerque a few times and I’ve gone out and photographed it (a B-24, and Mustang, also), gotten inside it, and while I can afford to take a ride, I haven’t done it. My dad was in what became the 8th Air Force in WWII. He was stationed in Bodney, England. We were members of the 8th Air Force Historical society for many years. Our daughter became a lifetime member, but I don’t know if the Albuquerque chapter is active these days. One of our friends in the Rose Society was also in the 8th Air Force. He wrote a book called “The Youngest Crew”. There is currently a copy available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/youngest-crew-Paul-Wagner/dp/1878117130/ref=sr_1_1. I think it’s a wonderful book, but then again I’m a little biased.
Yes I feel very lucky that I got to take a ride in that old plane, it was quite the adventure – and all thanks to the kindness of a stranger! Thanks for sharing the info about your dad and the link to the book, that all sounds very interesting!